Latest News
Paris show: Ford crosses over
28 September 2006
Ford has given a strong indicator of its crossover plans with the Iosis X concept car, revealed today (September 28) in Paris.
The sporty yet tough – despite the kiss at the end of its name! – five-door has Focus underpinnings and a muscular body that stems directly from Ford’s latest buzzphrase: kinetic design.
This ‘energy in motion’ approach is an attempt to convey ‘great driving characteristics via dynamic shapes’.
Yes, but what does it look like? A bit like a Puma on steroids.
“It’s pretty funky actually,” said John McIlroy, editor of autocar.co.uk. “Ford is saying that this concept is connected to the future production car in the same way the Iosis [revealed to great acclaim in Frankfurt last year] was to the new Mondeo. “I just hope the eventual car is not toned-down as much as the new Mondeo [also unveiled in Paris] has been.”
Ford hopes to break into the burgeoning crossover market sector by the end of 2007 or early 2008.
Presumably, the concept’s solid glass floor is unlikely to make it into production, while its large, helicopter cockpit-inspired ‘interlocking bridge’ centre console, which swoops from dash to rear roofline, will be somewhat less dramatic, if it survives at all.
No mention has been made of a 4x4 derivative, but the Focus floorpan could accommodate it.
More stories from the Paris show
Baby Rolls on the way
Lancia's British return
Alfa's super-sexy supercar
The new Avenger
The Corolla's successor
We check out the Joyster
Skoda Joyster Q&A
The next Twingo
Chevy's diesel WTCC car
Renault's small 4x4
Volvo C30 in detail
Fastest hybrid in the world
Audi unveils the R8
Your say
